[Childcare] Ocean-themed craft ideas! From wall displays to 3D projects

Aquarium building

Aquarium-making (for 5-year-olds)

As we spend more time indoors during the summer, why not take this opportunity to enjoy some focused crafting with your children? This time, we’re introducing an aquarium-making activity.

Aquariums, where you can see a variety of creatures up close, are full of charm for kids.

By creating their own aquariums, children can nurture their creativity and expressive skills.

Prepare familiar materials like paper plates and plastic bottles, and let the children cut and paste according to their own ideas and images—this helps develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness.

It’s great to carry out the activity while valuing children’s free-thinking and flashes of inspiration.

We hope you’ll give it a try!

Sea creatures made from handprints and footprints

How about creating various sea creatures using handprints and footprints? Prepare lots of handprint and footprint stamps in different colors, and then arrange and rotate them to resemble different marine animals.

For example, turning a handprint sideways can look like a fish, and using a footprint can suggest larger sea creatures like whale sharks or dolphins.

Combine the handprints and footprints with plain construction paper to represent all kinds of ocean life.

It’s also a good idea to have the children prepare their handprints and footprints in advance.

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SAKI

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Aquarium of tissue boxes

[Nursery/Kindergarten] An Ocean Aquarium Made from a Tissue Box 🐟🦈🐠 [Upcycled Craft]

Let me introduce a “tissue box aquarium” that will make your room feel cool and refreshing.

Since you use an empty tissue box, it’s easy to gather the materials.

Any work involving a utility knife must be done by an adult.

First, cut out the front, leaving a 2-centimeter border, and make slits in the sides.

Next, attach colored construction paper to the back to create the background.

Stick on origami fish, seaweed, rocks, and more.

Attach a twist tie to larger creatures like sharks, thread it through the side slits, and you’re done.

It’s a fun craft because you can move the pieces and play with it.

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hanauta obasan

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Paper plate turtle

[Childcare Craft] Summer Wall Decoration: Cute Turtles with Paper Plates

Here’s how to make a paper-plate turtle that swims smoothly through the sea.

Get crayons, a paper plate, raffia tape, and scissors ready.

Color the paper plate with a green crayon.

Make slits around the edge of the plate, then weave the raffia tape through the slits to create the turtle’s shell pattern.

Attach the turtle’s legs and head, made from construction paper, to the plate, and you’re done! Mount it on a construction-paper background, draw sea creatures, and create a summery July wall display! By changing the color of the raffia tape for the shell, you can make your own original shell design!

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mayumi

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Sea and Fish Bubble Art

[Drawing] Playing with soap bubbles and paint: Bubble Art

Let’s try bubbly bubble art that’s full of fizzing fun! Pour some paint and bubble solution into a shallow dish and mix them together.

Once mixed, use a straw to gently blow air into the mixture to make it foam.

Watching the bubbles grow bigger and bigger is sure to get kids excited! After it’s nice and foamy, lightly place a sheet of drawing paper on top—and you’ve got a magical artwork.

It’s a delightful technique that sparks children’s curiosity.

It would be fun to try mixing different colors, too! Be sure to supervise carefully so kids don’t accidentally suck the liquid up through the straw, and keep safety in mind as they work.

beach sandals

Why not make beach sandals using footprints that can serve as a memento of growth? First, have the children make footprints on drawing paper, let them dry, then cut them out slightly larger than the foot shape.

Next, align and paste strips of paper, imagined as sandal straps, onto the footprints to complete the sandal parts.

On a separate sheet of white drawing paper, have them freely paint with watercolors to evoke the sea and the sandy beach.

If you sketch rough guidelines in pencil, it will be easier for the children to get started.

Once the paint dries, paste the footprint sandals on top—and it’s done! Create a lively craft that looks like they’re taking a walk along the shore.

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tsukada moe

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Large-scale ocean production

Why not create a bold ocean-themed wall display using large poster paper? First, paint the poster paper to make the ocean background, then scatter pieces of tissue paper you’ve cut up on top.

This will help express the waves and shimmer of the sea.

Next, use construction paper and PE tape to make sea creatures like octopuses, squids, and jellyfish.

Have fun making them together with the children! Once the creatures are finished, stick them wherever you like to complete the display.

Adding extras like seashells and wakame seaweed will really enhance the atmosphere.

Make it a wonderful wall display by making the most of the children’s ideas.

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tsukada moe

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